'pontifical' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pontificalis,' ultimately from 'pontifex' (a priest or 'bridge-maker'), where 'pons' meant 'bridge' and 'facere' meant 'to make'; the suffix '-alis' meant 'pertaining to'.

'pontificalis' in Latin passed into Old French as 'pontifical' and then into Middle English as 'pontifical', becoming the modern English form 'pontifical'. The Latin root 'pontifex' (bridge-builder/priest) is the source of the semantic field.

Initially it referred to things pertaining to a 'pontifex' (literally a bridge-builder and by extension a priest); over time the meaning narrowed and shifted to relate specifically to the pope or bishops and to ceremonial/authoritative qualities associated with them.